(19)

(11)

EP 0 971 632 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/03 (21) Application number: 98911783.3 (22) Date of filing: 18.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 7/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9805/337 (87) International publication number: WO 9843/540 (08.10.1998 Gazette 1998/40)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 27.03.1997 US 826303 (71) Applicant: SYMPHONIX DEVICES, INC. San Jose, CA 95134 (US)	(72) Inventors: JAEGER, Eric Redwood City, CA 94061 (US) GOLDSTEIN, Jerod Soquel, CA 95073 (US) ROBBINS, Harry, S. Saratoga, CA 95070 (US) (74) Representative: Keussen, Christof, Dr.  Glawe, Delfs, Moll & PartnerPatentanwälteRothenbaumchaussee 58 20148 Hamburg 20148 Hamburg (DE)